Gunmen have attacked a police check along the Umunze-Ihite Road, in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing three police operatives on the spot.
It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the location in large numbers on Thursday and immediately opened fire on the security officers manning the checkpoint.
While three officers died, others escaped after a hot exchange of gunfire
An eyewitness in the area, who lives near the scene of the attack, said the hoodlums came in a commando-like manner while also firing gunshots in the air to scare residents of the area.
He said the community had been deserted after the attack, adding that shop owners in the area hurriedly closed their shops while people fled the marketplaces and others remained indoors for fear of another attack.
“The incident happened early in the morning. Three policemen were killed by the gunmen. They fired gunshots in the air for several minutes as people ran away because bullets were flying around here,” he added.
When contacted, the state police command spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, saying that it is one of the highest prices security officers pay in serving their nation.
Ikenga said the police in the state are not deterred by the attack.
“It is an unfortunate incident and it is part of the highest price security officers pay in serving the nation but the police command is not deterred by this development.
“The reinforcements teams are already in the area and the manhunt for the assailants is ongoing while joint security patrols have been intensified in the area,” he added.